New Grad Nurse (RN) Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

There are over 200,000 new nurses every year and they want the same jobs you do. To get noticed in that mob, you need a Theresa-Brown-level resume for new nursing graduates.

You can do it, with the right focus on your schooling and clinical experience. Below, I'll show you how.

In this guide:

• New grad nurse resume examples better than most.
• How to write a new nurse resume that lands interviews.
• How to custom-craft your new grad nursing job description.
• Why you can’t just list new grad nursing skills (and what to do instead).

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Are you looking for something similar to the new grand nurse resume? See other guides for nurses: 

• ER Nurse Resume Examples
• Medical Assistant Resume Examples
• Medical Scribe Resume Examples
• Medical Student Resume Examples
• Medical-Surgical Nurse Resume Examples
• Nurse Manager Resume Examples
• Nurse Practitioner Resume Examples
• Nursing Student Resume Examples
• Nursing Resume Examples
• School Nurse Resume Examples

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples for Any Job.

Sample New Grad Nurse (RN) Resume You Can Copy and Use

Here’s how to write a healthy new grad nurse resume:

1. Choose the Best New Grad Nurse Resume Format

Which new grad nurse resume format is right? Easy choice. Select the reverse-chronological format for resumes. It shows off your Cleveland-Clinic-worthy achievements first.

Use these resume format tips:

New Grad Nurse Resume Format

• Create a one–page resume for new grad nursing jobs.
• Set 1-inch resume margins.
• Pick a resume font like 11–14pt Cambria or Arial.
• For max readability, add some white space.
• Make resume sections for Heading, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.

Expert Hint: Save your work as a PDF resume so it works on all devices. A new grad RN resume in PDF form won’t confuse the ATS, and hiring teams love them.

2. Write a New Grad Nurse Resume Objective

The charge nurse will skim your new grad nurse resume. If it doesn’t grab her, she’ll toss it. So—make your first paragraph sparkle like Meredith Grey.

Do that with a career objective.

Add:

1. An adjective (licensed, energetic)
2. “RN”/"LPN"
3. What you’ll do and for whom (deliver high-level care at APMC)
4. Best resume achievements(scored 97% for patient education)

See these new grad nursing resume examples:

New Grad Nurse Resume Objective—Example

Licensed RN with 2+ years of precept nurse experience. Eager to deliver high-level care at APMC. At Richmond Medical Center, was scored at 97% for patient education and wound-dressing by preceptor. Completed assigned tasks 10% ahead of schedule.

Newly-licensed nursing job candidate, skilled in wound dressing and patient education. A a speedy worker who finishes assigned tasks quickly. Can perform all nursing tasks, including taking patient vital signs and assisting with discharge.

Here's the diagnosis: The second of those new grad nursing resumes samples just says what you can do. The first shows you’ve done it—fast and well. Your precept nurse experience counts as real experience in a new grad nurse resume. Don’t waste it!

Expert Hint: Write your new grad RN resume objective last. You’ll have an easy time summarizing your resume when you’ve got the finished copy at your fingertips.

3. Give Your Education Section a Fighting Chance

How should you list education in a new grad nurse resume? That’s easy. Show your degree and the name of your school. But—to wow the charge nurse, put skills in your resume education section.

See this new grad nursing resume sample:

New Grad Nurse Resume Example—Education

Education

Bachelor of Science, Nursing

University of Virginia

2015–2019

• Excelled in patient education coursework.
• Worked as teacher's assistant in wound dressing classes.
• Member, Student Nursing Association.

First rate. You just added patient education and wound dressing to your new grad RN resume.

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4. Show Clinical Experience and Skills in a New Grad RN Resume

What skills function in a nursing resume for new grads? Here are sample skills to put on a resume:

New Grad Nurse Resume Skills

• Efficiency
• Documentation
• Medicine Administration
• Wound Dressing
• Patient Education
• Budgeting
• Patient Transport
• Phlebotomy
• Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Recording Vital Signs
• Creating Plan of Care
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Active Listening
• Compassion
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Physical Stamina
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication

Let me give you a word of caution: Don’t pump them all into a new grad nurse resume.

Only a tailored resume will get you hired. So, pluck resume keywords from the nursing job description. These new grad nursing resume samples show how:

The job wants skills in collecting patient information, efficiency, IV insertion, and wound dressing.

New Graduate Nurse Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

• Provided patient care daily in busy hospital.
• Administered medications using various routes.
• Kept physicians informed about changes in the condition of patients.
• Performed patient education as needed and requested, per hospital guidelines.
• Participated in project to improve ICU procedures and guidelines.

With the second of those ICU nursing resume examples, you’re circling the drain. But—The first is skin-glued to the job ad.

Expert Hint: A peer-reviewed study found that clinical nursing simulations were no substitute for real experience. If you’ve volunteered or worked an internship, show that in your new grad nursing resume.

5. Add Bonus Sections to Your New Grad RN Resume

More than 200,000 new nurses graduate from school each year. Your new grad nurse resume has to outshine them all. So—add extras to your new grad nursing resume.

Choose from:

• Certifications (RN, CPN, ONCC, etc.)
• Associations (ANA, etc.)
• Volunteer positions
• Internships
• Honors or awards
• Media appearances
• Publications
• Language levels
• Conferences
• Additional activities
• Sports and fitness

See these new grad nursing resume examples:

New Grad RN Resume—Other Sections

What’s wrong with making sauerkraut or singing? Nothing! But they don’t prove RN skills. The first of those new grad nursing resume samples shows you can take the heat.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter for your nursing new grad resume. Show off your love of nursing and your best few nursing high points that make you a great choice.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a new grad nursing resume:

• Start with a new grad nursing resume template. Infuse it with your top new grad nursing moments.
• Add new grad nursing skills like wound dressing or patient education. Put a few numbers in to measure your results.
• Write a new graduate nurse resume objective as a snapshot of the best reasons to hire you.
• Add extra sections to list your license or an ANA membership.
• Don't forget to write a new grad RN cover letter. 

Got questions on how to write good resumes for new grad nursing jobs? Want to see more new grad nurse resume examples? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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